The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-11-24
BRECKINRIDGE.
dwelling of His Statue at Lex
ington, KY.

UnVeiling OF Els Statue at Lex
ington, KY.
messed the Ceremony-Brief Sketch Of
| the Event.
LEXINGTON, KY, Nov ie.-The unveiling OF
the statue of the late John G. Breckenridge, at
Lexington, was attended by an immense con-
course Of people, Distinguished mon were
| present from all parts OF the State, and many
from other States. The demonstration in honor
Of the memory Of the deceased soldier and
statesman was most remarkable. It was con-
| fined to no class and no party. The larger and
ron-political meaning 10 which this great mixed
gathering gave emphasis was the spontaneous
tribute OF people who admire greatness 70 the
nobility OF character, transcendent genius and
profound devotion to his country OF man,
who, in every position he was called to fil, did
honor to himself and reflected credit upon his
| State.
tits unnecessary here TO recite the life and
services OF John Capel Breckenridge as states-
man ard as soldier. They are matters OF history,
| and the orators OF the day did ample justice 10
| his name in this regard. After his return from
exile, he settled down TO the practice OF law In
Lexington, where he was beloved and respected
| by all who knew him, In his later years, though
as manly and dignified as ever he appeared to
have lost that fire and pow
| er to enthuse which characterized
him in former days, and which those who
| knew him then loved TO speak OF, An ailment
that finally brought about his death was press
| ing pom him, too, and in 1875 he died OF alb
| scess OF the liver, after an operation by DR..
| Spyre, OF New York. On his sick bed, but q
i few short weeks before his death, he was Wis
tied by ice-PresidenJ Wilson, who deviated
from his Southern course 10 pay his respects 10
| the ex-Vice- President The two eminent men,
typical OF their respective sections, like their
| States, Kentucky and Massachusetts, shook
| hands In the presence OF death and showed tho
4 politicians how great minds could forgive and
| forget.
The monument which wns unveiled today,
| was gift from the Commonwealth OF Ken
lucky. In 1873 the Legislature Appropriated
| $4,000 to erect monument to the memory OF
| General John c. Breckenridge at Lexington,
the act making the appropriation providing that
| the commissioners named therein should be
| authorized to collect by subscription 500 90
more. The commissioners were named in the
act. They were Senator Beck, Colonel w. G. p.
| Breckinridge, Hon. F. X. Hunt, Hon. Madison
| C. Johnson Colonel John r. Wiley. Mr.. James
A. Grinstead and Major r. S. Bullock.
These gentlemen organized with Hon. Il. X.
Hunt president and Mr. r. T. Anderson sec
retary. They were all friends of the deceased
statesman, and they concluded % make lit
tie or no collections from the public preferring
that the monument TO his memory should
be the gift OF his beloved native State,
icting through its representative assembly.
This determination was strengthened by the
fact that epidemics, yellow fever and other
calamities depressed the people in various
parts OF the State and OF the South at that
time, and all idea OF collecting money
from the people was abandoned. Those gen.
tlemen were not all destined, however, to be-
hold the fruition OF their endeavors. Death
played sad havoc with them. Soon Hon. +. X.
Hunt died and Colonel r. T. Anderson was
elected TO fill his place. Then John r. Wiley,
Henry Bell James A Grinstead and Madison c.
johnson went the way Of all flesh, and in their
places Judge Morton Judge Hunt and Major p.
p, Johnston took the labor of the Breckinridge
Monument Association. Death, too, removed
him who had been chosen orator for this day,
General William Preston, gallant companion
OF the dead Breckenridge.
The next thing TO be done after securing the
money was to ind an artist. About that time
Mr.. Edward Valentine, sculptor, OF Richmond,
had made reputation by modelling q recum-
bent statue OF General Lee and bust OF Gen.
eral Albert Sydney Johnston, which we're con-
sidered perfect Here was chance to secure n
good artist and at the same time a Southern
man in sympathy with the subject
The dimensions OF the monument are, briefly,
as follows' Height OF the bronze statue, feet;
pedestal OF granite, II feet; die, feet inches,
and other parts of such height as would make
the monument In height q feet 1t stands in
the center OF the street known as Cheapside' on
the east OF the COURTHOUSE, and facing that
building.
The cost of the monument did not absorb the
appropriation Mr.. Valentine was paid 5000
for his work, and the remainder. including the
fountains and other adornments, 1900. The
committee had judiciously invested the money
placed in their hands so as TO pay all expenses
with its accumulated profits, leaving sufficient
to yield yearly income enough to defray the
expense OF keeping the ground and monument
In repair.
The exercises were conducted according TO
the programme. After grand procession
through the principal streets, in which were the
State officers, cadets, artillery company, fire
company and distinguished citizens In carriages,
the multitude gathered about the base of the
statue.
Rev. DIR. J. ]. Bullock, Of Washington, former
Chaplain OF the United States Senate when
Breckenridge was Vice-President, opened the
proceedings with an eloquent prayer. He was
followed by Hon. james b. Beck. who briefly
recited the history and labors OF the Breclsin-
ridge Monument Committee No man had q
better right to that distinction. But for him
John c. Breckenridge would have died
poorer than he was, and his sons
would have had less to-day. He so man
,nrage's western property, refusing all appeals
,Se hoys sometSing worth having and statt ~ ,se s
in life on comfortable basis. One Of them is : |
planter in the South and another, John {. Breck-
inridse, is Congressman from Arkansas. He
though lacking his fathers lofty S' bu;S Is s ~
face strikingly like him in his prime manhood, |